FirstClassFlyer

This special report is for oneworld (American) members looking to maintain elite status, and for those who can’t find a low First Class fare.

Our Pitch: Use American miles to upgrade to First. Forget free mileage awards because you don’t earn elite miles or elite dollars.

The Upgrade Program

To Europe, Asia, and southern South America, American requires 25,000 miles one-way to upgrade, plus a $550 co-pay each way, with the lowest upgradeable Business Class fares (I class). The co-pay is kind of high, but when First Class fares are high, this upgrade offers a great return.

Save 34% on American First Class to Asia

Say you’re traveling Dallas-Hong Kong, often an expensive First Class fare route. The lowest Business Class fare is currently $6,170 from Dallas, while First Class is $4,840 more ($11,010)—so even with the $1,100 co-pay, you can save 34% off the published fare by using miles. (See chart below for upgrade award space.)

Save 41% on American First Class to southern South America

Say you’re traveling Dallas-São Paulo, another expensive First Class fare route. The lowest Business Class fare is currently $5,030, while First Class is $5,270 more ($10,300)—so even with the $1,100 co-pay, you can save 41% off the published fare by using miles. (See chart below for upgrade award space.)

American First Class to Europe:
When Using Miles Is Not a Deal

Buying First Class in advance or on short-notice can be cheaper than upgrading. Let’s take New York-London for travel in April: The lowest First Class fare is $4,575 and Business Class starts at $3,753, only a difference of $822. If you upgrade using miles, the fare is more expensive, given the co-pay ($1,100) plus the 50,000 miles.

How to Get American Miles

Buy American miles when they go on sale (go here for recent alert details), or transfer Starwood points.

Sweet Redeems Survey: American First Class Upgrades

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[["Routes<\/strong>","Departure Availability<\/strong>","#colspan#","#colspan#","Return Availability<\/strong>","#colspan#","#colspan#"],["#rowspan#","4 to 8 Days Per Month<\/strong>","9 to 12 Days Per Month<\/strong>","13+ Days Per Month<\/strong>","4 to 8 Days Per Month<\/strong>","9 to 12 Days Per Month<\/strong>","13+ Days Per Month<\/strong>"],["New York to S\u00e3o Paulo","Nov., Dec., Feb., June<\/span>","Nov.,<\/span> Feb.<\/span>","Nov.<\/span>, March to May<\/span>","Dec.<\/span>","Jan., May<\/span>","Nov., Feb. to April<\/span>"],["Miami to Buenos Aires","Jan.<\/span>","Nov., Dec.<\/span>","Nov.<\/span>, May to Aug.<\/span>","May, July<\/span>","Nov., Dec., March<\/span>","Nov., Dec.,<\/span> June, Aug.<\/span>"],["Miami to S\u00e3o Paulo","Aug.<\/span>","June<\/span>","Nov., Dec., Feb. to May,<\/span> June<\/span>","July<\/span>","Jan., June<\/span>","Nov., Feb. to May,<\/span> Aug.<\/span>"],["Los Angeles to London","Nov.<\/span>","Nov.","Dec. to Aug.<\/span>","","Nov.<\/span>","Dec. to Aug.<\/span>"],["New York to London","","Nov.<\/span>","Nov., Dec. to Aug.<\/span>","Nov., June<\/span>","","Nov.,<\/span> Dec. to May<\/span>"],["Dallas to London","Nov.<\/span>","Nov.<\/span>","Nov., Dec. to Aug.<\/span>","Nov.<\/span>","","Nov.,<\/span> Dec. to Aug.<\/span>"],["Miami to London","","Nov.<\/span>, Jan.<\/span>","Dec.,<\/span> Jan.<\/span>, Feb. to Aug.<\/span>","Nov., Dec.<\/span>","Nov.<\/span>","Nov., Dec.,<\/span> Jan. to Aug.<\/span>"],["Dallas to Hong Kong","Nov.<\/span>, Jan.<\/span>","Nov., Dec.<\/span>","Dec., Jan.,<\/span> Feb. to Aug.<\/span>","Nov., Dec., Jan.<\/span>","Dec.<\/span>","Jan., Feb.,<\/span> March, May, July, Aug.<\/span>"],["Los Angeles to Hong Kong","Dec. to April, June to Aug.<\/span>","Nov.","Dec. to April, June to Aug.<\/span>","Nov.<\/span>, Dec. to April, June to Aug.<\/span>","Nov., Dec. to Feb.,<\/span> May<\/span>","Dec., Feb., March to Aug.<\/span>"]]

*Months in black at least one seat available; in blue at least two seats; in green at least four seats.